Vector Valued Function

Here we study functions whose values are vectors because such functions are needed to describe curves and surfaces
in space. We will also use vector valued functions to describe the motion of objects through space.

 A vector valued function is a function whose domain is the set of real numbers and whose range is the set
of vectors.

Vector Valued function is denoted byr⃗ (t )

r⃗ ( t )=f ( t ) i⃗ + g ( t ) ⃗j+ h(t ) ⃗k

Here t is the parameter for some interval I on the common domain.

We can write r⃗ (t ) as

r⃗ ( t )=⟨ f ( t ) , g ( t ) , h(t ) ⟩
 The terminal point of a vector valued function creates a curve.
 It also gives orientation to travel.
 A vector valued function is a parametrically defined function, whose terminal points of one vector trace a
curve in 3D.

(The fact that t has certain domain that gives r⃗ (t ) an orientation.)

For example, r⃗ ( 0 ) =⟨−3,5,2 ⟩ it’s a vector with

Terminal Point: (-3,5,2)

Initial Point: (0,0,0)

Domain of a Vector Valued Function

Example 1: r⃗ ( t )= ⟨√ t,
1
t−1
, ln t ⟩
Solution:

f (t ) ¿
Domain of =

Domain of g ( t ) = R ¿ 1}

Domain of h ( t )= (0 , ∞ )

Domain of r⃗ ( t )= (0,1)∪(1 , ∞)
Can you figure out two specific vectors.

Find vectors t =2,4

 t=2 , ⃗r (2 )=⟨ √2 , 1 , ln2 ⟩

 ⟨ 1
t =4 , ⃗r ( 4 )= 2, , ln 4
3 ⟩

Example 2: r⃗ ( t )=⟨ t , t 2 , t 3 ⟩

Solution:

Domain of f ( t )= R

Domain of g ( t ) = R

Domain of h ( t )= R

Domain of r⃗ ( t )= R

⟨
Example 3: r⃗ ( t )= t 3 , ln ⁡( 3−t ), √ t ⟩
Solution:

Domain of f ( t )= R

Domain of g ( t ) = (−∞ , 3)

Domain of h ( t )= ¿

Domain of r⃗ ( t )= ¿

Example 4: r⃗ ( t ) = ⟨ √ 4−t 2 , e−3 t , ln ⁡(t+1)⟩

Solution:

Domain of f ( t ): 4−t ≥0
2

2
−t ≥−4
2
t ≤4
±t≤2
Domain of f ( t )=[−2,2]
Domain of g ( t ) = R

Domain of h ( t )= (−1 , ∞)

Domain of r⃗ ( t )= ¿

t−2 ^
i + sint ^j + ln ⁡(9−t ) k^
2
Example 5: r⃗ ( t )=
t+2
Solution:

Domain of f ( t )= R ¿−2}

Domain of g ( t ) = R

Domain of h ( t )=ln ⁡(9−t 2 )

2
9−t > 0
2
−t >−9

t 2< 9
± t<3
Domain of h ( t )=(−3,3)

Domain of r⃗ ( t )= (−3 ,−2) ∪(−2,3)